Who am I?

     I'm Teddy Delaney, and I'm truly grateful that you've taken the time to get to know me a little better. My journey into the world of gaming began when I received my first gaming console as a child: a Gameboy Color with a copy of Pokémon Yellow Version. I vividly remember trying to explain the game to my parents and eagerly wanting them to join me in playing. However, there was a unique challenge in getting my dad, who is a quadriplegic, to play video games due to the accessibility limitations of the Gameboy. This sparked a profound question within me: How can I make games more accessible? And if I couldn't make games more accessible, could I make them more enjoyable? These questions, coupled with my passion for sharing gaming experiences with friends, led me to delve into the realm of Video Game UX, Game Feel, and Technical Design. The joy and escapism I found in immersing myself in virtual worlds with friends, coupled with my quest to discover the most immersive and UX-rich titles, have ignited a deep interest in me for creating inclusive and engaging gaming experiences.

     After high school graduation, I found myself standing at a pivotal crossroads in life. Questions swirled: What path should I take professionally? Should I opt for the tried and tested route of stability, like becoming a nurse—following in the footsteps of my fiancée? Or should I delve deeper into my passion for video games? Thankfully, with unwavering support from my fiancée, family, and friends, I seized the opportunity to pursue my dreams.

     Over the course of two years, I embarked on an educational journey that took me from Saddleback Community College to Irvine Valley College in Southern California. Here, I delved into the intricacies of prototyping and iteration for card games, board games, and toys, harnessing the power of Python and Arduino boards.

     Subsequently, my quest for knowledge led me to Oregon, where I enrolled at Mt. Hood Community College for another two years. Here, I immersed myself in the world of game development, graduating with an "Associate of Applied Science in Computer Game Development." Along this path, I honed my skills in Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Unity, and Unreal Engine 4, mastering the iterative process essential for bringing video game visions to life.

     Additionally, I actively engaged with Portland, Oregon's vibrant gaming community through participation in public game jams hosted by the Portland Indie Game Squad (PIG Squad), further enriching my understanding of the industry, fostering invaluable connections, and teaching me what it means to work with a diverse group of multidisciplinary professionals that come from different tech, design, and art backgrounds. This journey not only equipped me with technical expertise but also instilled within me a deep appreciation for the collaborative spirit, the teamwork it takes to be a team player on a game development project, what it means to be a dependable designer on a multidisciplinary group of developers, as well as the creative innovation that drives the world of game development.

     Rewarded by my persistence, I finally achieved acceptance into DigiPen Institute of Technology's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design Program. This accomplishment fulfilled my long-held dream of attending my ideal college. I remained dedicated, commuting between Redmond, Washington, for school on weekdays and returning to Gresham on weekends, demonstrating a commitment to my craft over the span of an academic year. The following year, my fiancée was finally able to relocate to Redmond, Washington, with me, and eventually, we found ourselves living in Bellevue, Washington. I am currently continuing my studies in DigiPen's Bachelor of Arts in Game Design program, specializing in UX Design, Technical Design, and Production, with renewed focus and determination and a strong drive to achieve my place in the professional world of game development.

     I’m now a senior at DigiPen Institute of Technology and proud to have released two games on Steam, with a third coming in December 2025. My journey as a student has taken me a long way, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who’s supported me along the way. I look forward to bringing my knowledge, creativity, and background into new opportunities, and hopefully, to your team.